Library Move

On April 26, the Village of Johnson will participate in a significant project to relocate the Johnson Public Library from its historic home on Railroad Street, where it has served the community for nearly 120 years, to its new location adjacent to the Johnson Elementary School.

Prior to the construction of the library in 1909, Johnson’s extensive book collection, primarily donated by the state, was housed in an upstairs room within the old fire station. By the time the library was established on Railroad Street, property donated by Charles H. Stearns, the book collection had grown to over 1,100 volumes.

Today, the library boasts an impressive collection of over 8,000 books.

Throughout its history, Johnson’s Public Library has demonstrated remarkable resilience against flooding events. Notably, it endured the devastating flood of 1927, which resulted in the complete destruction of its book collection. Over the subsequent years, and exacerbated by ongoing flooding, it became evident that a comprehensive long-term solution was necessary.

After careful consideration, it was determined that the most suitable course of action would be to relocate the library beyond the flood risk zone. The property adjacent to Johnson’s Elementary School presented the ideal location for this relocation. In October 2024, the library received approval for a substantial $1.7 million grant, administered by the Vermont Department of Libraries, which made this ambitious proposal a reality.

The Village of Johnson holds a crucial role in this intricate project, and we are honored to contribute our efforts to this historic relocation.